While Krumer has developed a reputation for reading cyclist blog and message boards and responding to concerns, I thought it would be useful to have a place to ask the Sergent questions directly. As a result, I’m inviting all readers to leave any questions they might have about anything bike related for Krumer. We’ll post his answers later next week.

While Krumer has a pretty good sense of humor (someone better ask about e-bikes!) let’s try and keep the tone somewhat respectful.

I’d welcome the opp to learn more about how to invovle the LAPD in Safe Route to School efforts – things are moving with the City and soon with the school district. LAPD plays a great role around morning arrival and departure at a handful of schools I know about – but is there a larger strategy?

Who at LAPD can help use move the City of LA SRTS plan forward? Law enforcement is a critical partner in Safe Routes to School efforts everywhere – it’d be great to have LAPD be a big part of these strategies – esp as they’re developed.

Don Ward

Hi David, according to Bikeside analysis of SWITRS data, 1 in 3 collisions in California are hit and runs. I would like to hear your opinion on what will cause or induce drivers to stop at the scene of a collision.

Steve

A few months ago, after the initial announcement that you were considering keeping a database of drivers who harass cyclists, I stopped into a police station to file a complaint. At first the desk cops listened but when it came down to the fact that the driver “only yelled” at me (for nothing as I was riding legally…) the cops looked at me like I was on crack when I let them know that you had made the announcement. I asked if they couldn’t follow up with you to check on this, and again I must have had something on my face because they looked at me clueless. Finally they brought another cop who was fortunately a cyclist, and a little bit more sympathetic… I guess he followed up with you, and let me know that it wasn’t in place yet.

My question is, are there liaisons at each station that we can ask for when making complaints, or asking questions? While I know there are different training programs, but there inevitably will be the “rookie” or the one who has a poor understanding of laws, that should be able to learn things one way or another. It literally took me at least 3 different people before I got to the guy who said he’d follow up… Hopefully we won’t have to ask for you specifically each time?

Thanks for representing the cyclists of LA…

Anonymous

How’s the officer re-training going? How many officers in the force have gone through the module and when do you hope to be finished?

Eric B

As I understand it, the first training video only touched on lane position because you felt it was a complicated enough topic to warrant its own. Any idea when that might be available? Those of us that work in other jurisdictions need an authoritative source that shows all the circumstances under which a bicyclist may control the right lane–i.e. most of the time in urban areas.
Thanks!

Anonymous

Can the LAPD do anything about residents who routinely block the bike lane (usually about 2 days/week) with their garbage cans in violation of CVC 21211? It’s clearly against the law, creates a pretty serious hazard, and is fairly defeating of the modest bits of bike infrastructure that we do have.

Where can I report violations (either within the LAPD or other city departments)? Can the residents be ticketed?

River

Slightly off topic, but who should I call when I see youths congregating on the L.A. river bike path (between Figueroa and Fletcher) openly consuming malt liquor and marijuana in the middle of the day? I ride there frequently during the week, and see these kids almost every time.

Mihai .

How many hours a week does Sgt Krumer put in to Cyclist Task Force stuff? If he ever feels swamped with work, how many more officers does he wish he had on board the Task Force?

Joe

Why does the LAPD advertise the exact time and place of DUI checkpoints? I can see why you would want to publish that they are happening, for the deterrent effect. But when you publish details like, “From 7 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday, officers
will be monitoring drivers for signs of intoxication on Topanga Canyon
Boulevard between Devonshire Street and Chatsworth Street.” (http://www.dailynews.com/breakingnews/ci_18138131), won’t drunks just find a different route home?

Joe

Why does the LAPD advertise the exact time and place of DUI checkpoints? I can see why you would want to publish that they are happening, for the deterrent effect. But when you publish details like, “From 7 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday, officers
will be monitoring drivers for signs of intoxication on Topanga Canyon
Boulevard between Devonshire Street and Chatsworth Street.” (http://www.dailynews.com/breakingnews/ci_18138131), won’t drunks just find a different route home?

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